Friday, December 24, 2010

Many of the links posted here are from Ravelry.com, a free website for knitters and crocheters. If you don't have your own account you can use ours: login: knitomatic2, password: knitomatic. But you should get your own account fast, 'cause you're going to LOVE it!

Finito, finito, finito! I got my mom's last minute Toasty Legwarmers done last night and wrapped them up today. Phew, all the Christmas knitting is done - except for dear boyfriend's Umaro, which looks like it will take a little while because I can't drag it all over town with me. And I have to pay attention to it as I go. But other than a great big blanket, I'm done!

Oh, by the way, the yarn, Lang Mille Colori Big (the same yarn I used for my big cowl), turned out really nice as legwarmers. It's light and lofty, so I doubt the leggies will slouch, and the colours are so beautiful!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Finally, I have a finished object to offer you, although not a big one. I made thistoque in blackstone tweed for dear boyfriend's birthday, but he didn't take to it. Actually, he absconded with it before his birthday, and then he rejected it. So it has bee re-appropriated for his father's x-mas gift, who will hopefully be a bit more open minded.

A wash in Eucalan significantly softened up the fabric, it is so soft now!

Friday, December 17, 2010

I saw the pattern for this Cabled Globe Ornament last year, and knew it would make a perfect gift for dear boyfriend's mom. Then I fell down some stairs while looking for a really big broom and broke both my arms. Shoot ahead a year and I'm back in the saddle! The first version I made was with Mission Falls 1824 Wool, and it was not a pleasure. If you opt for this yarn, I suggest you try 4.5mm needles, I did not enjoy 4mm, the yarn was a bit too stiff.

I tried again with Malabrigo Merino Worsted and it was divine! I highly recommend it for this project. I also have a couple of suggestions regarding the pattern:

After casting on do not pull tight. you will stuff through this hole.

At the end, before fastening off, leave a very long tail, and crochet the rope for the top - the twisted cord is a big pain and hard to sew in. then sew the other end of the rope down.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

My dearest beau's Christmas gift is an Umaro blanket, pictured above. He wanted a plain, dark blue blanket made with scratchy blue wool, and much negotiation ensued. I tried making something up, but my mojo doesn't work with plain dark blue. Luckily Brooklyn Tweed just published this new pattern that uses bulky yarn (he calls for Cascade Lana Grande, but it doesn't come in dark blue in Canada, so I used Brown Sheep Burly Spun in BS82 Blue Flannel). I worked out my schedule (11 rows per day) and was on target until the yarn company forgot to send me my order. Now I'm waiting on UPS :-(

Anyway, the pattern is well written and not hard to follow, but I have to pay attention to the chart, so not for novices.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Many of the links posted here are from Ravelry.com, a free website for knitters and crocheters. If you don't have your own account or are waiting for it to go live, you can use ours: login: knitomatic2, password: knitomatic.

Another store sample finished, a Marsan Watchcap in Cascade Eco Duo! I look dopey with the brim rolled up, but it's a man hat and is designed with a folded brim (like this other version in another shade of Eco Duo). Anyway, it makes a great man hat - it's classic, soft, and neutral.

There is a lame little story that goes along with the aquisition of Mr Sheep. And a caveat, i'm a terrible storyteller, which will make it a boring story too. That said, I still intend to submit you to it - Hee-hee-hee!

So here it is .... I was at the OOAK show with my parents, aunt & uncle. They move too slow, so I take off ahead of them. The show is sooooo boring, until 1/3 of the way through I come across the new artists section, and low and behold I stumble across the jewel of the show - a tiny four foot by four foot display made out of ancient reclaimed wood, and handing on it is needle felted taxidermy. Brilliant! It crosses my mind that my friends in San Fran, the Bermans, would LOVE this. And then I look up and who should be right in front of me, but the the Bermans' coolest of the cool friends, Jodi! The vendor was wrapping up a moose for her, and she talked me into purchasing the sheep for the store, although it wasn't particularly hard, I'm impressionable at times. And now, Mr Sheep happily resides above the return policy and cash register, and I LOVE him! :-)

Friday, December 03, 2010

I finished my Instant Gratification Scarflast week too - very fast, this one was also stuck in photography. It was super easy & fast! Used just 1 skein of Malabrigo Rasta in Solis with 12mm needles. I cast on 7 sts because I didn't know how far it would go, but in retrospect I could have done 9 or 11 easily.